APMC condemns bandh call

Significantly, the Mahatma Phule Market and other surrounding smaller vegetable markets have also decided to support the indefinite bandh call given by commission agents with the result that these markets will remain closed from this this date. Whether the Chhatrapati Shivaji Market located in Pune Cantonment decides to join the bandh will be decided at the meeting to be held on April 23.

However, giving a new twist to the issue, Dr Baba Adhav, president Maharashtra Rajya Hamal Vyapari Mahamandal, Shri Chhatrapati Market Yard Kamgar Union and Shri Chhattrapati Shivaji Market Yard Tolnar Sanghatana have declared their support to the APMC on the controversial issue. The issue has been in the eye of the storm for the past few days after the State government issued directives to various market committees directing them to make suitable changes in their bye-laws so that the sale charges and other expenses on agricultural produce could now be collected from the consumer instead of the farmer. The strike call was precipitated by the reported statements of State Cooperation Minister Jayprakash Mundada on Monday, who made it clear that the amendment to the APMC Act would be implemented in all market committees despite resistance from the trading community.

In a statement issued here, APMC president Pandurang Khese who revealed that the marketing system utilised during the bandh calls given on April 8 to April 10 and April 15 proved major successes and the APMC would attempt to implement methods of direct sale again. Urging farmers to come forward with their produce, Khese assured them all the required support of their perishables.

More than 150 truckloads of vegetables and other commodities are brought to Pune on a daily basis boasting of a turnover of around Rs 80 lakh. Although he was not very confident of ensuring the entire sale of all these goods, Khese said that all efforts would be taken to transport these goods to various vegetable markets in the city. He also said that around 20 marketing outlets would be opened in various parts of the city to ensure proper supply.

The Poona Merchants Chamber (PMC) today, held a meeting with district collector Vijay Kumar Gautam to discuss the bandh issue. During the meeting, attempts by the collector to persuade the trading community to call off the bandh failed. PMC will hold a meeting on April 23 to chalk out their future course of action while the decision on the State level will be taken at the meeting scheduled on April 26.